Father’s Day Care Package Ideas

[Briana Hartzell USAA]

Father’s Day at home provides endless avenues for celebration. Breakfast in bed, a kid free day of golf, steaks for dinner, you name it and it can probably be done. Father’s Day aboard the USS Nimitz? It looks a little bit different. I am quite certain no one will be delivering my husband donuts in bed and instead of a relaxing round of golf or playing games with our two little girls, he will be working hard on the carrier.

In the search to make his Father’s Day special without a steak dinner, my two girls and I put together a care package to ensure he still felt loved on Father’s Day. Here is what we included:

Practical Items:

1. T-shirt. He wears black t-shirts under his uniform- so we chose a back t-shirt to customize with my girl’s handprints. Here is a step by step tutorial.
2. Socks (underwear too). Free sock labels here. I pre-wash all the clothing items because I know laundry isn’t as easy or convenient for him to do.
3. Fun small gadget (under $25)- He doesn’t have a lot of storage space on the boat, so we sent a tactical pen. Other ideas: Small waterproof Bluetooth speaker, remote control helicopter or headlamp.
4. Treats- Free printables for candy to include in the package (for example Reece’s®-the label says “There are a million Reece’s we love you Dad”)
5. Snacks: I like to choose healthier and high protein snacks like beef jerky, protein bars, dried fruit, nut butter packs.

Photo gifts:

1. Make a pillowcase with the kids’ pictures on them - you can do it yourself by ironing on or order one online.
2. Print out a few photos of your kids and put them in little photo book (we found some at our local Dollar Store).

Handmade by the kids:

1. Homemade Book about Dad: I loved helping my 3-year-old answer questions about her Dad (My dad Smells… “sweaty after he exercises” and the tear-jerking answer to My Dad makes me happy when “He comes home!”)
2. Additional free printable to answer questions about Dad from your child’s perspective- guaranteed to put a smile on Dad’s face!
3. Drawing pictures and making crafts for Dad has helped my 3-year-old cope with him being gone. I encourage you to let you kids go crazy making things for dad- it takes up such little room in the box!

No matter what you choose to include in a care package for Dad, it is the thought that will make the biggest impact! Happy Father’s Day to all the deployed Dads out there! We appreciate all you do!

How do you keep the Dad in your life feeling special when they are Deployed on Father’s Day? Have another care package idea? Please share in the comments!

Additional Resources:

Deployed Dad on Father’s Day: 4 Ways to Celebrate

Father’s Favorite Things

Father’s Day Care Package Ideas on Pinterest

Listing Free printables in Various themes for Father’s Day

About the Blogger: Briana Hartzell is a Navy spouse, mother to two beautiful girls (3 years and 1 year), a former full time USAA employee and a graduate of Texas A&M University. Briana writes at Being Briana, a blog focused on the joys that military life and parenthood can bring.

[USAA Social Service]

Briana thanks for sharing such great tips and resources to honor and support fathers this upcoming Father's Day! - Darrell